A family in the Northwest Territories faced a crisis when their dog, Denali, ingested a large number of Apoquel pills a week before Christmas. Trevor Beck, who was away at the time, learned that the dog had consumed 100 pills, which were mistakenly left within reach. Beck’s daughter quickly discovered the situation as the medication was in treat form, resembling kibble.
With no local veterinary clinic in Hay River, Beck and his wife, Andrea, reached out for help. Fortunately, they were able to contact Dr. Jenn McCracken from the Manning Veterinary Clinic in Alberta, who provides periodic services in Hay River. McCracken noted that the amount of medication Denali ingested could have been toxic due to her size.
Besides the pills, Denali had also consumed other items like bread and garbage, which potentially aided in diluting the impact of the medication. Dr. McCracken remotely guided the family and the RCMP to administer medication to induce vomiting and provide activated charcoal to absorb toxins.
Community members, including Beck’s mother and Staff Sgt. Phil Unger from the Hay River RCMP, played crucial roles in sourcing and administering the necessary treatments. Beck expressed gratitude for the community’s swift and collective effort in saving Denali’s life, highlighting the importance of community support in times of need.